Why concussion should be taken more seriously

In the wake of the recent Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and in advance of thousands of students returning to school and University

In the wake of the recent Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and in advance of thousands of students returning to school and University next month, the importance of understanding the implications of concussion from playing sports is substantial.

The NHS defines concussion as 'the sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other injury to the head'.

In recent years, individuals have turned a blind eye to concussion, with many viewing the injury as a joke.

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Speaking to the Mail on Sunday last year, ex-English rugby union player Lewis Moody, admitted to his dismissive approach: 'For me, concussion wasn't a big deal. It was something you could just shake off.

'Nobody ever said concussion could lead to permanent brain damage or even death if it was not dealt with properly.'

But the term 'concussion' is certainly not to be taken lightly.

Despite being the least serious type of traumatic brain injury, the symptoms range from mild to severe and include problems such as memory loss and confusion, unconsciousness and seizures or fits.

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How does concussion occur?

According to the Sports Concussion Institute (SCI), a concussion occurs when the impact of the blow causes the head to move rapidly, resulting in the brain striking the inner skull.

Once the head has stopped moving, the brain then hits the opposite side of the inner skull, incurring damage to the brain's functions.

Figures presented by the SCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that an estimated 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur every year, with 78 per cent cases resulting from playing sports.

The statistics also showed that the risk of males developing concussion is highest (75 per cent) when playing football.

Preventing concussion

Although the figures may be high, the NHS has compiled a number of common-sense ways to stay safe and reduce the chances of experiencing concussion while out on the pitch.

When partaking in contact sports such as boxing or rugby, it is essential to wear the required equipment.

Supervision from a qualified professional when playing a contact sport is an important way of avoiding concussion as they are better trained to spot early signs of potential injury-inducing tactics and manoeuvres.

Concussion treatment

In the unfortunate instance of a concussion occurring, seeking treatment at the earliest stage is vital.

However, in some cases the concussed individual may not show any obvious ill-effects. If so, it is necessary to visit a doctor after even the slightest blow to the head.

Treatments for concussion include taking paracetamol to control the pain and applying ice - that's been wrapped in a cloth - to the head injury for around 30 minutes, in two to four-hour intervals.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, during the recovery stage following concussion, the athlete should not engage in any physical activity that will increase the heart rate nor mental activities which require concentration.

Returning to play

Returning to playing sports is a gradual process and should commence only after all symptoms have diminished.

The process of physical activity normally occurs over a period of five days, with day one involving low-intensity exercise and the fifth day marking full participation.

But for some, experiencing concussion may have a detrimental effect on their confidence in returning to play.

Martial arts fighting champion, TJ Grant, suffered a concussion during a training session in July 2013.

In an interview with Mixed Martial Arts Fighting, he explained how his injury led him to consider early retirement.

There are a number of factors that determine whether an athlete is mentally fit enough to return to sport, one of which includes undergoing computerised neurophysiological testing that works to assess the brain's functions.

However, despite the brain making a full recovery from a concussion, it is important that the individual feels fully committed and confident before considering returning to sport.

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The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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